We don’t believe in vote bank politics: Naqvi

New Delhi: Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday said that the Narendra Modi government does not practice vote bank politics and is working for all round development of the country.

Participating in the debate over the presidential address in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs denied opposition charges that weaker sections of the society were being ignored by the Modi government, and said that it was not true.

“It’s our national duty (to work for betterment of the people) and we don’t do it for votes,” the minister said.

“Our government inherited corruption and lots of other problems from the previous regime but we are working for all sections of the society,” he said, defending the central government.

Naqvi also praised the citizens of the country for not allowing any terrorist group to spread its roots in India.

He said terrorism is a challenge for the entire humanity and Indians have always stood against it.

Naqvi was, however, interrupted by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, as the minister spoke about how crores of poor households have been ensured cooking gas connections after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged countrymen to do away with subsidy on gas cylinders.

The Congress leader said that the minister must authenticate the figures on how many gas connections have been provided to the marginalised.

On this, Deputy Speaker P.J. Kurien said that the minister was not quoting the figures and hence there was no need to authenticate the same.